Part 2 of Prog In Unexpected Places goes back to the 1970s for two progressive tracks from mainstream rock artists. Grateful Dead and Elton John have progressive influences elsewhere, but Terrapin Station’s epic title track and the five plus minute “Funeral for a Friend” instrumental are full-on prog that are quite popular too.
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Cirrus Bay – Whimsical Weather
This is a very nice release from Cirrus Bay, who returned with another album earlier this year. They are often compared to Ant Phillips, but you will also hear Camel, Steve Hackett, and Renaissance influences. The musicianship here is top notch, and the ethereal female vocals match the musical style perfectly.
New This Week
Here are a few new releases form this week. Mike Keneally always has something new and interesting to offer. Unfortunately, the new Saga feels like more of the same, despite the return of Michael Sadler. I do like the first two tracks though. Fang Island has been praised for “successfully combining the luster of indie pop music with the technical eccentricities of progressive rock.” I really like the combination, and this album will be in my rotation for a while.
Sherman Hemsley – Prog Fanatic?
With the sad passing of Sherman Hemsley comes a most unexpected (and apparently true) side to the former Jeffersons actor: he loved Gentle Giant, Nektar, and especially Gong!
This article from Magnet tells a hilarious story from Gong’s Daevid Allen about superfan Sherman Hemsley:
George Jefferson: World’s Biggest Gong Fan?
My favorite line of the story: “Anyway, we get into this stretch limousine with Sherman and immediately there’s a big joint being passed around. I say, ‘Sorry man, I don’t smoke.’ Sherman says, ‘You don’t smoke and you’re from Gong?’”
Not to mention:
“Then Sherman says, ‘Come on upstairs and I’ll show you the Flying Teapot room.’ Sherman was very sweet but was surrounded by these really crazy people.
We went up to the top floor and there was this big room with darkened windows and “Flying Teapot” is playing on a tape loop over and over again. There were also three really dumb-looking, very voluptuous Southern gals stoned and wobbling around naked. They were obviously there for the guys to play around with.
There’s also a rumor that he recorded a funk-rock opera about the “spiritual qualities of the number 7” with Jon Anderson. Even the idea is classic, even if it is urban legend.
Finally, another tidbit from the Jeffersons where George dances to Nektar:
sleepmakeswaves ...and so we destroyed everything
Australia’s sleepmakeswaves is another post-rock band trying to stand out in the crowded field. So far, they seem to be doing just that based on the buzz from this indie release.
